Ref: WW/XW/Press release/10 Date: 11 October 2010
Press release
(Mogadishu, 11 October 2010) The Ministry of Information of the Transitional Federal Government (TFG) of Somalia strongly condemns the arrest of Hassan Halane, Director of Radio Mandeq at Balad-Hawa district in Gedo region, Southwest of Somalia. Earlier this month the militants arrested Mohamed Kusow, a journalist working at the same station in Gedo.
Somalia Minister of Information, Abdirahman Omar Osman (Eng. Yarisow) said: "We deplore that brutal action against the independent media and journalists working for Somalia. Al-Shabaab, Al-Qaeda's group in Somalia is continually killing, harassing and intimidating independent journalists in Somalia. The TFG is very much concerned about Al-Shabaab's attacks against the media."
"We want to encourage and help independent media to carry out their profession of reporting unbiased information. A free media that can operate without any fear from the extremists is vital for the peace process in Somalia."
This is not the first time the extremists arrest journalists who reject their brutality. During the last two years, extremists killed, arrested or threatened dozens of journalists in Somalia. They have also either closed or looted a number of media houses.
The policy of the TFG is to protect the freedom of speech and expression for the prosperity of the country. Such attacks will not silence the common voice of the Somali people who stand to reject the ideology of al-Shabab.
END
Ministry of Information, Mogadishu
Jamhuuriyadda Soomaaliya
Xukuumadda Federaaliga KMG
Wasaaradda Warfaafinta
Republic of Somalia
Transitional Federal Government
Ministry of Information
Contact address: Ministry of Information, Villa Somalia, Mogadishu, Somalia. Telephone:
+252699941070, +25261 5479911, +25262755400, +252699998854 e-mail:
engabdirahman@gmail.com or somaliinfo.ministry@gmail.com